IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchDepuis des lustres
Meaning: For a very long time.
Literally: For lusters
Example: “Nos familles se connaissent depuis des lustres.” — Our families have known each other since time immemorial.
English equivalent: Since time immemorial
Equivalents in other languages
English: since time immemorial
Origin: A lustrum was the Roman five-year period concluded by a purificatory sacrifice after the census. Counting in them makes a stretch of time sound both long and formal.
More French idioms
- Des yeux de merlan frit A soppy, languishing look.
- Payer en monnaie de singe To pay with worthless promises instead of money.
- La montagne accouche d'une souris A vast effort or grand announcement produces something trivial.
- La mouche du coche Someone who bustles importantly while contributing nothing.
- On n'attrape pas les mouches avec du vinaigre Gentleness achieves what harshness cannot.
- Prendre la mouche To take sudden and disproportionate offense.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Chien sur son fumier est hardi Everyone is bold on their own ground.
- Il y a un commencement à tout Everything has to start somewhere; first attempts are allowed to be clumsy.
- Trop de zèle gâte tout Too much eagerness ruins things.
Keep exploring